Do you know anyone who suffers from pelvic pain? Do you feel like you're always running to the bathroom because you have to urinate or that you're urinating frequently? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a condition called interstitial cystitis (IC). Before you panic, know that this condition is treatable and that you are not the only one suffering from it. Throughout this article, you will learn everything you need to know about CI. First, we will talk about the diagnosis of the disease, causes of IC, medical conditions associated with IC, different types of oral medications, and medications introduced into the bladder. In the second half of the article you will learn more about the man with IC, surgery and the patient, gender, conservative therapies and support. To begin, what exactly is interstitial cystitis? It is a bladder disease marked by inflammation and ulceration (interstitial cystitis means inflammation (cystitis) within (interstitial) the bladder wall). (Robert Moldwin). It is not a disease detectable by blood or urine. The only way to recognize this condition is by the symptoms you experience. A person with IC usually presents symptoms between the ages of 30 and 50, although it can occur earlier in life. It is said that 90% of IC patients are women. (ICA) You're probably wondering, "Do I have interstitial cystitis?" Your doctor can make the final decision on whether or not you have IC. Providing a medical history will help eliminate and create possibilities. Tests will also be used to help determine the decision, including: urinalysis, urine culture, urine cytology, pelvic ultrasound, and urodynamic evaluation (Moldwin). No one really knows what causes interstitial cystitis. Researchers identified the causes through patient complaints (ICA). Patients with IC are reported to have bladder surface abnormalities, bladder blood supply abnormalities, undiagnosed microorganisms, and autoimmunity (ICA). Today, many medical conditions are associated with interstitial cystitis. In a 1997 study by Alagiri, Chottiner, Ratner, Slade, et al., described the following observed in patients with IC: allergies 40.6, irritable bowel syndrome 25.4, and skin sensitivity 22.6 ( Moldwin). Other conditions associated with IC include vulvodynia, pelvic floor dysfunction, fibromyalgia, urethral syndrome, and urinary tract infection (UTI) (WHC).